14 wt School Bluefin Outfit

[stuhutch]

Anybody have advice or experience on this.

Which Reel – My Choice is either the Ross canyon 8 or Tibor Gulf Stream.

Which Rod – I haven’t made any Choices yet. If possible I would like it to 3 – 4 piece for traveling, but 2 piece is not ruled out. It needs plenty of LIFTING power, be able to take boat abuse, cast well and not cost a fortune.

All opinions and 2 cents is appreciated

[Bigcat]

stuhutch,
I have a Cam Sigler 14wt it has a foam grip and a swivel gimble,
Cam also gives you a lifetime warrenty all for 349.00.
You can call Cam he will send you one out to try if you don't like it send it back. great guy to deal with.
Last year I was using a Pate Tarpon and it done the job,this season I will be using a Pate Marlin, and will pair the Tarpon with a Cam 12wt for back up.
Good luck.

[H2O]

TIBOR
no question

[sage fly guy]

Sage RPLXI 14 weight 1st choice This is the rod that own the 196 record.

Hayden Broadbill-superior to Pate or Tibor, this reel actually has a real drag system can apply 30#'s real drag pressure. The others don't even come close that. For similiar coin, there is no other choice.

[peter mac]

Hey,
It appears that cost is not a concern with the names being mentioned, I have a sage rplxi 8914-3 with a gulfstream with 500yds. of 50#gel-spun on it, and a sage rplx 12wt.with same reel set up, They are both outstanding combos. Remember that no 14wt rod is a casting wand, they are built to lift. A 12wt. stick will handle most of the schoolie BFT fishing that you will be doing in the northeast, and is a much better casting tool than any 14wt....... We caught schoolie BFTs too 70# on 12wts. last year and it was plenty of stick, not to mention that you can also take it tarpon fishing..........The other consideration for big rods would be the T&T Horizon 14, or the cape fear 14/15. Just my .02
Peter Mac

[capemike88]

300 yards of 3/8" rope

[sage fly guy]

"300 yards of 3/8" rope" Nice and cheap compared to the other ideas.

Cape Fear makes 3 blanks for fly rod use a 14 weight, a 15-16 weight and a 17-19 weight. The finished rods are almost impossible to get and the blanks are. But one superior rod.

T&T makes a super 14-16 weight that's shorter than most, although the handle configuration is a little odd for my tastes.

Loomis makes a really nice 15 weight in their Crosscurrent line.

Graphite USA makes some fantastic blanks for a very reasonable price. If your into building check them out.

Pac Bay also make a nice 15 weight blank for about $150.00, that could be a serious whoopin' stick with some work and parts.

Lamiglas also has some decent blanks available for the builders.

Look around, there are new sticks popping up almost monthly you never know what's available.

[masssalt]

Just to add:

Cam Sigler makes a very nice 14-weight that is a casting banshee, 100' no problem with a 15-weight shooting head and intermediate running line. With ethafoam handles and a gimbal butt, $ 349.

My other stick is the T & T 14/16 which is a serious lifting tool, but not so much on the casting end. And the handle on that thing is a work of art, just like the rest of the rod! $ 760.

TFO has a bluewater rod coming that I understand is an excellent caster, for around $ 350.

[Too Fly]

Has anyone played with the 14 wt. Winston XTR?

Paul

[sage fly guy]

I never fished it, but have held it. Feels like no other 14 weight, almost like a noodle rod for salmon. More like a 11 weight, I'd hate to get a bruiser on that stick.

IMHO

[Too Fly]

Noodle?

I've heard that its action is similar to that of a composite blank, but I've never heard it was noodley? I would think that a rod that was stout and a bit forgiving, especially for graphite, would be a good choice for lifting. No?

I've got the 12 XTR. I've never had anything on it yet, but I bet it'll work for fish in the 50-60 lb. range. It's pretty beefy.

I'm debating whether or not to sell my 13 RPLXi, which is great for someone who is looking for an "in between rod." I bought it because I didn't want to fork the cash over for a rod that would only serve as a tuna stick. It's over 7 ozs. and casts great, it'll handle any tarpon and even tuna up to 100+ lbs. It's as new with a blank warranty card.

Paul

[sage fly guy]

I have a dozen rods from 12 to 18 weight covering 4 different rod companies. I would not add the Winston to the arsenal except under gunpoint, unless I needed a tarpon rod for Cape Cod.

That 13 weight is more than capable compared to the 14 weight Winston I handled.

Again just my opinion.

[howardcummings]

am building a flyrod on a 8 1/2 lamniglass spinning blank rated for 20-30#--taped guides on it and it casts a 750 head well enuff and intend to use the biggest Penn flyreel--I have used the reel on sailfish and it performed well--Howard

[BdaFly]

I use an Abel Super 12 with the GLoomis Nautikos 12 weight 3 piece for yellowfin up to the 60 pound range and have not had any problems as yet......casts really well also.

[Too Fly]

Bda,

How's the fishing in Bermuda these days? I was there about a year and a half ago, but did not get to do any serious fishing. I was supposed to fish with Mr. Pearman, but weather prevented the trip from happening. He then calls me back with another opening, but unfortunately I was unable to make it since I had a previous "engagement." It was a marriage actually, my own to be exact. Mr. Pearman jokingly yelled at me, suggesting I stick with my reason for being on the island. So I thought to myself... "hmmm, either fish or get married?" I chose the latter. --124-3 ;)

I saw a couple Maritime Skiffs in the area, which was pretty cool. Is the Maritime a popular boat in Bermuda?

Paul

[BdaFly]

Too Fly,

Fishing in Bermuda has been pretty steady for the last couple of months. Offshore was incredible in May/June. Loads of nice size yellowfin and blackfin tuna to be had. Inshore was a little more challenging in the Spring due to some persistant windy weather, however I managed to get out a couple of times in early June and got a couple of bones and some other jacks etc........

Longterm, you made the right decision......although you have now set a bad precedent. Fishing is now in the backseat!!!! Lastly, there are some Maritime skiffs here that act as pseudo flats boats, but not all that common.

Later,

BdaFly